"For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light." -Ps. 36:9

The Red Feather

February 8, 2009

I first heard the story of the red feather on Family Life Today around the Christmas season. I found it gripping, moving, familiar. It was the simple story of a family. In the new book, The Red Feather: A Christmas Story by Tom Elliff, the author writes of a personal journey to forgiveness, through pain, grief, and bitterness. He is a 38 year old pastor when his father (also a pastor) leaves his mother after 42 years of marriage. So begins, for Elliff, a journey through the grief of his parent’s divorce, an automobile accident, Alzheimer’s disease, and death. Yet, the story will not depress you. It will give hope and remind you of God’s extravagant love for you.

I identified greatly with Elliff’s struggles and found this book comforting. Comforting to hear of someone else’s journey, not dissimilar to my own. It is a book I’ve been looking for. The message is simple, not preachy. Just a simple story of one man’s experience. And a good reminder to me that “Forgiveness is not the same as reconciliation, restitution, or approval of sin. Forgiving, according to Jesus in his parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:21-35), involves a singular decision of the will by which you consider another person no longer indebted to you.” So simple, yet so hard.

If you’d like to listen to the radio broadcasts, you can find them at the links below. I know you’ll be touched.